Babies

Do Constant and Long Cries Have Negative Effects on Babies?

Letting a baby cry for too long refers to the practice of not responding to the baby’s cry immediately and allowing them to continue crying for a long time thus the question: Do Constant and Long Cries Have Negative Effects on Babies? Constant and long cries can cause the baby’s stress level to increase, leading to a state of exhaustion and a decrease in oxygen levels.

This can be dangerous and can cause long-term health problems. In addition, letting babies cry for too long can also have a negative impact on the parent-child relationship, because babies may become less attached and less trusting of their caregivers.

 

Parents should respond to the crying of their babies to promote their physical and mental health and establish a healthy parent-child relationship. Here’s what happens if the baby’s crying is unheard of:

 

 

Increased stress level

When babies cry for a long time, their stress levels increase. This is because crying is a natural response to pain, and when babies are not immediately comforted, they may become more and more upset.

As their crying continues, their bodies release the stress hormone cortisol, which can have a negative impact on their physical and emotional health.

 

Excessive cortisol can weaken the immune system of infants and make them more susceptible to illness. It can also affect their brain development and have long-term effects on their behavior and emotional regulation.

In addition, prolonged crying can also lead to a state of exhaustion in infants, which can cause them to become less alert and less able to interact with the environment.

 

 

 

Exhausted state

Prolonged crying can cause babies to be exhausted, which can cause them to become less alert and less able to interact with the environment.

When babies cry, they consume a lot of energy and spend a lot of physical strength. If they are not comforted and their crying lasts for a long time, they may be exhausted and their bodies may begin to shut down.

 

Exhaustion can cause babies to become less alert and less sensitive to their surroundings. They may become drowsy and have difficulty staying awake, even if they are hugged or hugged.

This can make it difficult for them to interact with the environment and interact with their caregivers.

 

 

Oxygen level drops

Prolonged crying can cause the baby’s oxygen level to drop, which can be dangerous and can lead to long-term health problems. When babies cry, they consume a lot of energy and consume a lot of physical strength.

This will cause their heart rate and breathing rate to increase, which in turn will cause their oxygen levels to drop.

 

Reduced oxygen levels can be dangerous to the health of infants. It can cause a disease called hypoxia, in which the body and brain do not get enough oxygen.

This may cause the baby to be drowsy, confused and unresponsive, and may lead to long-term health problems such as brain damage.

 

 

 

Negative impact on parent-child relationship

It is important for babies to feel safe and loved, and one way they do this is to form a strong attachment to their caregivers (usually their parents).

When a baby has been crying for a long time without being comforted, they may begin to feel anxious and uncertain about the availability and responsiveness of their caregiver.

This can lead to a decrease in attachment and trust between the baby and the caregiver, which can have a negative impact on the parent-child relationship.

Infants who are not adequately comforted and nurtured may have difficulty forming healthy attachments and may be at higher risk of developmental and emotional problems in later life.

Caregivers need to respond to the baby’s cries in a timely and appropriate manner to help build a strong, trusting relationship.

 

 

 

Understanding Infant Crying

Infant crying is a fundamental form of communication, signaling various needs such as hunger, discomfort, or fatigue. However, the frequency and duration of crying can vary significantly among babies.

 

Types of Crying: Normal vs. Excessive

Normal crying is intermittent and typically resolves once the baby’s needs are met. Excessive crying, on the other hand, persists for extended periods and may indicate underlying issues that require attention.

 

 

Factors Contributing to Excessive Crying

Several factors can contribute to excessive crying in babies, including medical conditions such as colic, as well as emotional and environmental factors.

 

Hunger

They call it “hanging” for a reason. Everyone is a little cranky when they are hungry, especially babies: if they haven’t eaten for a while, they can quickly go from zero to screaming.

You may recognize that the cry of “feed me” is rhythmic, repetitive, and (usually) short and low. Experts say that the baby’s hunger cry may also include a “neh” sound, which stems from the baby’s tongue reflexively hitting the roof of the mouth when looking for milk.

 

 

Drowsiness

As an exhausted parent, you may fall asleep the moment you hit the mattress, but this is not necessarily the case for your baby.

Sleep is a learning skill, just like anything else. “Newborns don’t have an established circadian rhythm until they are about 4 months old,” said Kim West of LCSW-C, a baby sleep consultant, better known as the sleep lady.

“Most importantly, a crying baby is largely unable to comfort itself, so parents must help the baby build these things.

“In order to help reduce babies crying at night and soothe them to sleep, there may be some trials and mistakes in order to see what best calms the tired baby. First of all, swaddling clothes may make your little one feel comfortable and comfortable. Some babies also respond well to swinging movements, the sound of lullabies and even the hum of vacuum.

 

 

Dirty diapers

Some babies can sit in wet or dirty diapers for hours without care in the world. If they are uncomfortable for more than a second, others will go crazy.

(Can you blame them?) Take a second to open the diaper and perform a quick check or a “sniffing test”.”You can also choose a diaper brand with a humidity indicator, such as Pampers Swaddle, which changes color when the diaper is wet.

This way, you don’t have to take off your clothes every time you need to investigate whether the baby’s crying is due to diaper discomfort.

 

 

Need to burp

If you notice that your baby is crying immediately after breastfeeding, this is a typical sign that they need to burp. But there are other times when a good hiccup may be in order.

Horowitz said: “Everyone remembers burping after breastfeeding, but many babies may need to burp after sucking on a pacifier, burping, or crying.”

“All these activities can lead to swallowing air.”So, when you have a baby who is crying inexplicably, it doesn’t hurt to pat them on the back. There are several techniques for how to burp a baby out there, so find one that suits you.

“I hold my baby on my left shoulder and make sure his left arm hangs on my shoulder,” Bumpie KatieDahlia said. “Then I rubbed circles on his left side and back, starting from his hips and moving downwards. Usually after two or three attempts, we will get a huge hiccup from him.”

Stomach troubles

Is your crying baby also squirming, arching his back or pumping his legs? These are all signs of infant gas, said Preeti Parikh, M.D., a pediatrician in pediatrics in New York City.

The good news is that there is an easy way to help them through it. “Hold the baby on the left side to help digestion,” Parikh said. “If the baby is gas, ride their legs on a bicycle and push them to the chest to help relieve the gas.”

 

 

Teething

The baby can start teething at 4 months old, and when the pain begins, the baby’s crying will rise. Other signs of teething are excessive drooling and biting anything within reach.

“Sucking with a pacifier or thumb or finger can help soothe the baby,” Parikh said. Horowitz suggested that you might even want to give your crying baby a gum massage: just massage your gums until your fingers squeak.

 

Although it may be tempting, avoid over-the-counter teething aids such as Anbesol or Orajel. These benzocaine-based products are no longer approved for use by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) because they can numb the back of the throat and interfere with the baby’s ability to swallow.

In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns parents of the dangers of homeopathy, such as teething tablets.

Also avoid amber teething necklaces, which have proven to be dangerous to babies. When it comes to soothing the teething pain of a crying baby, natural relief is the best, unless the baby is really in pain. Eugenie Charles, M.D., a pediatrician in the pediatric emergency room of Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia, said that in this case, weight-appropriate doses of Tylenol and Motrin are currently the only recommended medicines for teething in infants.

 

Overstimulation

We will all feel sensory overload again and again. For the baby, it may be after being passed by uncles and aunts at a family gathering, or taken to the grocery store.

Remember: Your little ones are still used to all the commotion, so it may not take much time to make them unhappy.

When they seem to be overstimulated, it is a good idea to take a crying baby home and relax. Parikh said that walking in a quiet, familiar environment and getting some fresh air can also bring them some benefits. But don’t be too crazy, try to keep your baby away from sensory activities.

“Stimulation is a good thing,” Horowitz explained. “For babies, the best form is one-on-one stimulation with a loved one.”

 

 

Need to pay attention

We all know that babies don’t exactly follow the “set it and forget it” mentality. You can (and should!) Let the baby stay quietly on the playground for a while. But when your children are with you, they will be the happiest and quietest.

“Babies often cry because of loneliness because they are not constantly hugged or shaken. They need these things when they go through this period of rapid development,” Narvaez said. “Young babies deserve compassionate and prompt care so that their systems learn to calm down, not to excite or aggravate.”

 

Disease

No one likes illness and pain, including babies. If your baby feels uncomfortable, you may notice that your baby is crying more frequently than usual.

Charles said: “Most parents know what your baby’s usual crying sounds like, so if your baby keeps crying, or cries harder and longer than usual, this may be a sign of illness.” “Also look for other symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, insufficient weight gain, if the baby is not alert or the baby is heartbroken,” and bring it to the attention of the pediatrician.

 

General discomfort

When we have an eyelash stuck in our eyes, a hair wrapped around our toes or a clothing label rubbing against our skin, we can simply remove it.

However, there is only one way for a preverbal baby to let you know that they are uncomfortable, and that is—you guessed it-crying.

If your child is still unhappy after napping and feeding, burping and changing, “Peel off the baby and check for itchy labels or other small things that may go wrong,” West said. Even shoes that are too tight can cause crashes, so use your best reconnaissance skills here.

 

Colic

Last but certainly not least is colic, the pièce de résistence of baby crying. Colic is defined by AAP as a condition in which a healthy baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, and more than three consecutive weeks.

Babies with colic cry too much, it is more difficult to comfort, sleep is interrupted, and it puts a lot of pressure on you and your partner.

But it is important to remember that colic is usually quite short-lived. In addition, colicky babies are not necessarily uncomfortable or painful, Charles said, it doesn’t mean you did something wrong. Usually, this is just how babies handle life in the first few months.

 

Medical Conditions and Colic

Colic, characterized by prolonged and intense crying in otherwise healthy infants, remains a perplexing phenomenon. While the exact cause is unknown, factors such as gastrointestinal discomfort or immature digestive systems are often implicated.

 

 

 

Emotional and Environmental Factors

Emotional factors, such as a baby’s temperament or sensitivity, can influence their propensity to cry excessively. Additionally, environmental factors like overstimulation or changes in routine can exacerbate crying episodes.

 

Effects of Constant and Long Crying on Babies

Physical Impact on Development

Prolonged crying episodes can exert physical stress on a baby’s developing body, potentially affecting neurological development and hormonal regulation.

 

Emotional Impact on Attachment

Constant crying may strain the bond between parent and child, leading to feelings of frustration or helplessness, and impacting the development of secure attachment.

 

 

Sleep Disturbances and Disruptions

Persistent crying can disrupt a baby’s sleep patterns, leading to fragmented sleep for both the infant and the parents, which can further exacerbate stress and fatigue.

 

 

Parental Stress and Mental Health

The relentless cries of a baby can take a toll on parental well-being, contributing to feelings of anxiety, depression, or inadequacy. Addressing the root causes of crying becomes paramount to preserving parental mental health.

 

 

Strategies to Soothe a Crying Baby

Comforting Techniques: Swaddling, Rocking, Shushing

Gentle, rhythmic movements such as swaddling, rocking, or creating white noise can mimic the comforting sensations of the womb and help calm a distressed baby.

 

Feeding and Burping Techniques

Ensuring adequate feeding and proper burping techniques can alleviate discomfort caused by hunger or trapped gas, reducing the frequency of crying spells.

 

Utilizing Pacifiers and Comfort Objects

Pacifiers or comfort objects provide babies with a sense of security and can offer soothing relief during bouts of crying.

 

Creating a Calm Environment: Dim Lights, Soft Music

Creating a serene environment with dim lighting and soothing music can foster relaxation and diminish stimuli that may contribute to crying.

 

 

When to Seek Professional Help

Consulting Pediatrician for Underlying Medical Conditions

Persistent or severe crying warrants medical evaluation to rule out underlying medical conditions such as reflux, allergies, or infections.

 

Counseling and Support for Parents

Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals or joining support groups can provide parents with coping strategies and emotional support during challenging times.

 

Preventive Measures and Tips

Establishing a Routine

Establishing a consistent daily routine can provide babies with a sense of predictability and security, reducing anxiety and minimizing crying episodes.

 

 

Recognizing Early Cues of Hunger, Discomfort, Fatigue

Attentively observing and responding to early signs of hunger, discomfort, or fatigue can preempt crying episodes by addressing needs promptly.

 

Managing Stress and Seeking Support

Prioritizing self-care and seeking support from partners, family members, or professional caregivers can mitigate the stress associated with caring for a crying baby.

 

 

Conclusion

Constant and prolonged crying can have multifaceted effects on babies, encompassing physical, emotional, and familial domains.

Responsive caregiving, characterized by attentiveness to a baby’s needs and timely intervention, serves as a cornerstone for fostering a nurturing environment conducive to healthy development and emotional well-being.

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